STATE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 1/22/18 – Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition

Starting the 3rd week of the 2018 Iowa Legislative Session and things are moving right along. Iowa Faith and Freedom is at the State House daily working as a resource for legislators, a guardian of the Constitution, and a protector of our Judeo Christian Foundations as a nation.

Last Friday, 1-19-18 marked the deadline for new bills to be submitted. It appears this session should be every bit as productive as the last. Thankfully, several legislators intend to build on the success of last session in further protecting the lives of innocent Iowans in the womb.

The majority party seems unified in efforts toward tax reform so Iowa residents, businesses and owners can keep more of the money they earn. If the legislature can attain a portion of the success their federal counterparts were able to spark with over 170 businesses now crediting the tax reform directly to employee bonuses and wage increases, (1) Iowans should be hopeful.

Iowa is blessed to have a growing number of steadfast legislators working to protect life, liberty, and our nation’s Godly legacy through innovative policies. Several House Republicans have sponsored HF 2031 (2) which would allow local school districts to offer elective social studies courses emphasizing the impact of the Bible in literature, sciences, and cultures throughout history. Of course, the ill-informed will fuss about any connection to a Christian faith in spite of our nation’s foundations. Though many schools are already teaching the Koran and other mystic religions in social studies, some will deny equal opportunity concerning the Bible. It seems they would rather have students ignorant than understand the vast contributions of the Bible and those who believe in it. By their reasoning, we should then stop the teachings of Sir Francis Bacon, Sir Isaac Newton, Johannes Kepler, and contemporary Francis Collins, director of the Human Genome Project; (3) not to mention Einstein, Shakespeare, and Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Law. A 2014 Washington Post article (4) credits the Bible as a central and foundational influence that cannot be avoided in Western culture.

Throughout the 2018 Session, IFFC will keep you apprised of pending legislation good and bad, bills that expand or protect liberty and those that will harm or limit it, bills that uphold our Constitutional Foundations and those that jeopardize them. The goal being to inform and give you an honest account of State House happenings this session.

That said, Senate President, Jack Whitver, SD19-R gave an enthusiastic speech touting the state’s new education rankings opening day of the 2018 Session which was promptly met with confrontation from the Senate Democrat Leader.

Senator Whitver’s statement:

“I have never been more optimistic about what lies ahead for our state. People around the country are taking notice of Iowa. In just the last year, Iowa has been recognized for our great job climate – being named the BEST state in the country for the middle class. Our schools have also been recognized as we were named the #1 state in America in high school graduation rates and #4 in increased education funding. Our state has been recognized as the 3rd best managed state in America. There are so many reasons to be excited about the future.”

Seems positive and one would expect most Iowans to be pleased with such rankings. Yet, Senator Janet Petersen, SD18-D who is skilled in delivering death-blows to the unborn with her ‘Susie sunshine style and smile’ responded with the teaser that Democrats hoped to work across the aisle as Iowans expect their legislators to be civil. Then she attacked Republicans for “doing a lot of bad things to a lot of good people” during the 2017 session. Who knew Democrats would think good schools were a bad thing?

So, if this is a glimpse of what is to be in the 2018, civility appears no more than a word bandied about by Democrats for tv. Still Republicans have the numbers and no excuses, so buckle up and be ready. Could be quite a ride, and legislators deserve to have your help when they’re trying to help you.